Christmas in Zurich - Switzerland

In recent years Christmas markets have popped up all over the city of Zurich. They don't have a tradition going back centuries like in Germany, but nevertheless some of them have charm and atmosphere.  All of them are outdoors - except the big Christkindlimarkt in the hall of the main train station.  You'll find a range of items from coloured scarves to wood carvings, sweet delicaces and bits and pieces from around the world.  At all markets you can get gluhwein, hot mulled red wine that keeps you warm even if a cold December wind is blowing.  And of course there are food stands, offering raclette, melted cheese on bread and other delights.  Check our listings below and gluhwein
you way around them all.


- Christkindli  Markt
                                   They say it's one of Europe's biggest indoor Christmas markets with a 15-metre
                                    tall Christmas tree decorated with hundreds of crystals as its main attraction
                                    And surely at least one of the more than 150 stands has the Christmas  present                                       you're looking for. There is a merry-go-round to keep the children happy, and
                                    gluhwein for the parents.
                                    Main Train Station (Main Hall) - Hauptbahnhof - www.christkindlimarkt.ch                                         Open until Dec. 24


- Singing Christmas Tree
                                     This small market is situated just a few steps from Bahnhofstrass. The real
                                      attraction here is the singing Christmas tree: ever day at 17.30 and 28.30 (Sat                                       & Sun also 14.30 and 15.30 ) choirs sing carols - on a vertical stage that looks
                                      like a Christmas tree.  With their red hats on the singers are the decorations
                                      on the tree.Singing Christmas baubles - we've never seen anything quite like
                                      it . And yes, there is guhwein and fondue too.
                                      Werdmuhleplatz - Bahnhofstrasse / Hauptbahnhof                                                                                                                                                               www.singingchristmastree.ch
                                      Open until Dec. 23

- Weihnachtsmarkt Europaalle
                                        This is the youngest  of the city's Christmas markets, taking for the
                                         second time this year. It's located in the newly developed shopping and
                                         residential area Europaalle, just southwest of the tracks of the main train
                                         station.  Around 50 little Christmas  cabins will be installed and taken over
                                         by traders and craftsmen offering all kinds of more or less useful staff
                                         for Christmas.  There is a fondue hut  ( www.pizeuropa.com) so your
                                         stomach can also get in a Christmas mood.
                                         Europaallee - Haupbahnhof - www.weihnachtsmarkt-europaallee.ch
                                         Open until  Dec 24

-   Weihnachtsmarkt Im Dorfli
                                           The Christmas or Weilnacht market in Niederdorf, the part of the old town
                                            east of the River Limmat, is the oldest one in Zurich. Dozens of stands
                                            bring a Christmas atmosphere to the alleys and squares around
                                            Niederdorfstrasse. Many crafts people sell their products here. Stroll
                                            through this one to combine Christmas shopping with some sightseeing
                                            Niederdorf - Rudolf-Brun-Brucke,  www.gld.ch
                                             Open until Dec 23